Best restaurants 2011: The critics' favorites

Crain's dining reviewers Alison Neumer Lara and Laura Bianchi name their favorite new spots for a business lunch: the swank Chicago Cut in River North and the cozy but contemporary Florentine in the Loop.

GT Fish & Oyster and Michael Jordan's Steakhouse

What are two of the hottest new restaurants for a business lunch? Crain's dining reviewers Alison Neumer Lara and Laura Bianchi name their favorite spots: the stylish and relaxed GT Fish & Oyster with its imaginative menu, and Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, which makes all the right moves for business lunch entertaining. Read the story

Chicago Cut Steakhouse & Florentine

Crain's dining reviewers Alison Neumer Lara and Laura Bianchi name their favorite new spots for a business lunch: the swank Chicago Cut in River North and the cozy but contemporary Florentine in the Loop. Read the story

Terzo Piano in the Art Institute of Chicago

Critic Alison Neumer Lara's favorite new restaurant for business this year is Terzo Piano in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. An elegant room with stunning views is the backdrop for clean, simple Italian dishes, many locally sourced and organic. Laura Bianchi's take: The striking setting makes it an especially good place to bring out-of-town clients.

Mercadito in River North

Critic Laura Bianchi's favorite new restaurant this year is Mercadito in River North. Tacos are the heart of the small-plates Mexican menu, with creative salsas, guacamoles and sandwiches rounding it out. A young crowd and aggressive graffiti art on the walls make it a stylish, lively destination. Alison's take: Go after work and try the tequila. Read the story

Morton's and Cafe des Architectes

Critics Alison Neumer Lara and Laura Bianchi each chose a high-end restaurant that kept value in mind with fixed-price meals offering multiple courses for $25 or less. Alison chose Cafe des Architectes, where a new chef has turned his attention to midday and a bento-box, French-style four-course lunch. Laura went traditional with Morton's, where the infallible service and generous surf-and-turf fare always impress. Read the story

Eve Restaurant, Gold Coast dining

For a different take on Gold Coast dining, critic Alison Neumer Lara favors Eve, a stylish new addition with the chef-driven approach of a neighborhood restaurant. From its white leather chairs to its elegant preparations, it brings a hip feel to the neighborhood, dishing up pretty dishes from a prawn and panna cotta appetizer to a grown-up s'more dessert. Laura's take: It's fantastic but maybe for foodies only, and the quarters are a bit close for business.

Hub 51 & Gage

Laura Bianchi chooses Hub 51 in River North for a lower-cost meal with plenty of atmosphere. A new enterprise by the sons of Richard Melman, it brings a value-conscious, broad, global menu into a nouveau warehouse environment with a bustling vibe. Meanwhile, Alison Neumer Lara keeps going back to the Gage on Michigan Avenue, across from Millennium Park: It has an upgraded pub atmosphere with everything from roasted chicken with goat cheese to a burger topped with Camembert and marmalade. At either place, it's a cinch to keep the entrees under $20.

Sixteen in Trump Tower

Crain’s restaurant critics Laura Bianchi and Alison Neumer Lara reveal their top picks for business dining: Sixteen and Eve when you want to impress; Hub 51 and the Gage when you need to keep the bill in check.

Hannah's Bretzel & Spa Cafe

Our critics name their best of the best for both formal steakhouse dining and casual lunches downtown. Wildcard favorites. Laura Bianchi recommends Hannah's Bretzel and Alison Neumer Lara enjoys Spa Cafe.